A virtual classroom is a digital platform that allows students and teachers to interact and collaborate in real time, remotely.
This can include features such as video conferencing, screen sharing, document sharing, and interactive whiteboards.
Virtual classrooms can be used in a variety of settings, including online education programs, remote learning, and blended learning environments.
They can also be used for professional development, meetings, and other collaborative activities.
What is a virtual classroom?
Is an online teaching and learning environment known as a virtual classroom, instructors and students can present course materials, engage and communicate with one another, and collaborate in groups.
The main characteristic of a virtual classroom is that it operates in a real-time, synchronous environment. While asynchronous, pre-recorded content can be seen as part of online courses, virtual classroom environments feature live interaction between instructors and students.
Note: With the aid of virtual classroom software, educators can:
- moderate student involvement
- show learning resources as documents, slide shows, or multimedia assets
- Screen-sharing and virtual whiteboard features can improve learning
- split the group into breakout rooms so that the teacher can join them
- Engage the audience through surveys and puzzles
- capturing the sessions (and managing those recordings)
Any device that can connect to the Internet can be used by participants to access virtual classroom platforms. Participants can access content regardless of where they are in the world because of this flexibility.
Also, many virtual classroom systems can be connected with the established learning management system of the institution or business.
The virtual classroom system and the LMS can communicate with one another thanks to advanced platforms for learning tools interoperability, which makes the whole more effective than the sum of its parts.
Types of virtual classroom
There are several types of virtual classrooms, including:
- Synchronous virtual classrooms: These are virtual classrooms where all participants are online at the same time. This type of virtual classroom typically uses video conferencing software, such as Zoom or Google Meet, to enable real-time communication and interaction between students and teachers.
- Asynchronous virtual classrooms: These are virtual classrooms where students and teachers do not need to be online at the same time. This type of virtual classroom typically uses a learning management system, such as Blackboard or Canvas, to provide access to course materials, assignments, and assessments.
- Self-paced virtual classrooms: These are virtual classrooms where students can access and complete course materials at their own pace, rather than following a set schedule. This type of virtual classroom typically uses a learning management system, such as Udemy or Coursera, to provide access to video lectures, quizzes, and other materials.
- Hybrid virtual classrooms: These are virtual classrooms that combine elements of both synchronous and asynchronous learning. This type of virtual classroom typically uses a combination of video conferencing software and a learning management system to provide both real-time interaction and access to course materials.
- Virtual Reality Classrooms: These are virtual classrooms that use virtual reality technology to create immersive learning environments. This type of virtual classroom typically uses VR headsets, such as the Oculus Quest or HTC Vive, to enable students to interact with virtual environments and simulations.
How to Choose a Virtual Classroom Platform?
An effective learning environment can be delivered by educational institutions with the use of a virtual classroom platform.
However, not all ideas are implemented in the same way or offer the same educational opportunity. In fact, a recent survey revealed that the majority of students are not pleased with the way that learning is currently being done remotely. Here are some salient findings from the survey:
In a survey, 68% of students stated that they thought online training was inferior to in-person instruction.
In a poll, 28% of students reported having trouble using or navigating digital learning resources.
In a poll, 22% of students reported having trouble accessing online course materials.
Features Of Virtual Classroom Software
The following are essential characteristics of virtual classroom software:
Easy access is essential for helping students learn the course information. The installation of software or the downloading of plugins can be challenging for participants. A terrible learning experience is the end result. Digital tools should be simple for participants to connect to, ideally requiring just a link and their login credentials.
The ability to use and understand digital learning tools is essential for course participants. Participants may easily enjoy classes and the pertinent learning materials, connect with instructors and work with classmates when the interface is clear and easy to use.
Video conferencing: Live video enables greater student involvement and presents opportunities for in-class conversations by allowing professors and students to see one another. In order to allow users with lower bandwidth connections to participate, an increasing number of platforms provide high-definition video and automatically adjust a user’s video and audio for their connection speed.
Effective learning—teachers and content producers must be able to build on the interface with additional layers of structure. The structure of the course should be comparable to that of the entire hub but flexible enough to provide distinct features according to the subject matter because each course is distinct and offers different materials.
NOTE: Many virtual classroom solutions will have the following capabilities:
Software for virtual classrooms that allows hand raising
Software for virtual classrooms with capabilities for participation control
program for virtual classrooms with technical assistance features
software for virtual classrooms with markup tools
Content security is essential. Organizations and educational institutions should be able to have total control over their material with the aid of a virtual classroom solution. Additionally, the platform needs to have built-in security features like authentication and access controls that assist stop unauthorized users from using and downloading sensitive and educational data.
Session Recording: Professors can record a virtual class session, including the video and audio, and upload it online for later viewing by students who can’t attend or who wish to review the content again. Direct posting to the institution’s learning management system or online learning platform is an option with some virtual classroom software.
Multimedia presentations: Teachers can share slide shows with students as visual assistance during lessons by uploading them to online platforms for virtual classrooms. Additionally, a lot of systems let teachers post audio or video materials.
Analytics: A variety of data regarding student attendance, engagement, and performance can be collected by virtual classroom software, which can subsequently aggregate it into reports or visual dashboards.
What Do You Need for a Virtual Classroom?
The knowledge that these are two separate contexts is maybe the most crucial necessity when switching from a real classroom to a virtual one.
A virtual classroom is made up of software and hardware, unlike a traditional classroom, which is constructed using brick and mortar.
The pricing and usage of these commodities vary. Finding the best virtual classroom platform for your needs is essential when planning to start a virtual classroom.
How the virtual classroom platform integrates with any existing systems you may have, such as your learning management system, is another thing to take into account.
Best Practices for a Virtual Classroom Setup
Usually, businesses and educational institutions design their own special digital learning stack that satisfies their particular requirements and norms. However, there are some procedures that, in most instances, can aid in improving the process. Key recommended practices for implementing a virtual classroom are as follows:
Imitate a physical learning environment: Regardless of their current location, instructors, teachers, and class members need features that simulate a physical learning environment. Participants should be able to recognize the digital environment even if they are watching the session from their living room. Through the use of high-quality streaming, user-friendly collaboration tools, and presentation tools, a virtual classroom can aid in developing a favorable learning environment. Emojis, conversations, surveys, digital whiteboard comments, and other interactive
Teaching features are some examples. All of these qualities support teachers in involving students and developing a lively, interactive learning environment.
Breakout groups are tools that divide a virtual classroom into smaller ones where students can work in smaller groups. When a group project reaches its allotted time, the teacher can call everyone back to the main virtual classroom.
Simple sharing capabilities—instructors frequently distribute resources to students. Sharing of displays, video, audio, and other resources by instructors is necessary. Easy and speedy sharing is essential to a successful educational process.
Benefits of a Virtual Classroom
The virtual classroom is a handy, central location where your university courses unfold it is also the center of online degree programs.
Although traditional campus-based education and the online university experience have many essential characteristics, online learning offers numerous advantages that traditional college degree programs do not. Several of the following made our list of the top benefit:
Immediate feedback on tests
Enables student collaboration online
Expanded world view
Streamlines delivery of live online learning experiences
Effective time management
Engages and assesses learners from afar
Combination of structure and freedom
What is Virtual Classroom Software?
daily instruction Additionally, they might utilize it to communicate with kids who are momentarily absent from class due to an illness.
Students: After an instructor starts an online class meeting using virtual classroom software, students can join the session by downloading the required software or by using a web browser.
Online tutors: Private companies that provide tutoring for academic courses, foreign languages, or exam preparation can connect with their clients and hold online tutoring sessions using virtual classrooms.
Virtual Classroom Software
Discover the best Virtual Classroom Software for your company. To create your list, compare product reviews and features.
GoGuardian: is the solution that monitors and filters content as well as engages, kids
Adobe Connect: Directly share presentations and other files over the internet while receiving responses from a large audience.
BlueJeans: Manage and host interactive video, online, and audio virtual classrooms for huge global audiences.
Blackboard Collaborate:Â Our completely rebuilt web conferencing technology, which was built for learning, enables staff members to complete training requirements anywhere, at any time.
Alma: In order for instructors to raise the next generation of students, Alma’s goal is to assist in their development.
Venture: Make online classes. Create membership websites. Open inexpensive online shops. Or just use the complete suite to express your creativity.
Schoology: Leading K–12 learning management system (LMS) Schoology Learning is a component of the PowerSchool Unified Classroom solution. The system is intended to assist districts and schools in enhancing parent involvement, student achievement, and general collaboration. Individualized instruction and fair access to learning for every student—at home, at school, or everywhere in between—are two ways that Schoology Learning can support student success.
Kiddom: Everything schools and districts require for teaching and learning is in one location thanks to the Kiddom educational platform. With curriculum, instruction, and assessment all in one place, bid adieu to siloed tools! Receive real-time early warnings and for the first time, align the curriculum with student performance data.
DyKnow: A virtual classroom management tool called DyKnow is intended to assist educational institutions in keeping track of student activity, preventing disruptive behavior, sending messages, and reviewing class history through a centralized dashboard. The platform gives teachers the ability to set up student access, distribute push notifications, and see device usage data to assess student participation. The system supports classroom management features as well as blended, progressive, and distance learning.
Nearpod: Teachers can use Nearpod to acquire real-time formative assessment data and engage students with dynamic media such as video and virtual reality. They can use technology to augment current resources (PowerPoints, Google Slides, videos, and more! ), download a pre-made course, or design their own activities.
FAQ About Virtual Classroom
How to Buy Virtual Classroom Software
Virtual classroom goods will generally have similar features, which should put potential customers at rest as they start looking for the best option.
The RFI/RFP process for institutions should get underway by focusing on the present and foreseeable demands for their remote learning strategy.
Buyers must decide whether features will give teachers the confidence they need to conduct excellent virtual classrooms and make sure they have the resources they need to minimize student interruptions.
What Are The Alternatives To Virtual Classroom Software?
These programs can be partially or entirely replaced by alternatives to Virtual Classroom software:
Similar to video conferencing services, which are typically more business-oriented, virtual classroom products combine live video streaming. Platforms for video conferences can do many of the same tasks as virtual classroom software.
Using built-in video streaming technology, several learning management systems (LMS) solutions can host virtual classrooms. An LMS can be used to plan virtual sessions and post a link to the session. The LMS can then be updated with the recordings so that students can access them.
Who Uses Virtual Classroom Software?
Users of virtual classroom software often fall into one of two groups: teachers or learners. Users can use virtual classroom goods in a variety of circumstances, though.
Daily instruction Additionally they might utilize it to communicate with kids who are momentarily absent from class due to an illness.
Students: After an instructor starts an online class meeting using virtual classroom software, students can join the session by downloading the required software or by using a web browser.
Online tutors: Private companies that provide tutoring for academic courses, foreign languages, or exam preparation can connect with their clients and hold online tutoring sessions using virtual classrooms.
Professors in colleges and universities: A number of virtual classroom tools are designed to assist lecturers at colleges and universities in enhancing the delivery of online education, including courses that are offered wholly or partially online. Using a range of capabilities, professors can host live online classes to deliver lessons and engage students. Teachers in the elementary grades can use these resources to engage with students who
Are learning remotely. K–12 teachers: While K–12 teachers use virtual classrooms less frequently than higher education instructors, they can nonetheless do so. Virtual classroom software can be used by teachers in K–12 institutions where students only take online courses to offer lessons.
